Better Together information pack: 12b. Who regulates Mencap services? - Applicable to Northern Ireland only
The Better Together pack has been split into different documents, each covering a different area of information about Mencap and our services; including how we work with the people we support, and the importance of building and maintaining strong
relationships
Relationships are about the people in your life. You might have different types of relationships like friendships, family relationships, or a boyfriend or girlfriend.
with their family and friends.
The information on this page is applicable to Northern Ireland only.
The following information follows the Types of services section (applicable to Northern Ireland only) of the Better Together information pack.
Who regulates Mencap services?
A large number of Mencap services are regulated, which means that an external body checks the quality and safety of the support being provided. Regulation helps us to continually challenge ourselves to be better and to strive for excellence in our work.
Regulators vary across our regions with separate regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Services in Northern Ireland
The regulator in Northern Ireland is Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
What is RQIA?
RQIA is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services.
What does RQIA do?
When RQIA inspect Mencap services, they will aim to seek the views of the people we support and their families. They will also talk to the registered
manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it.
, other service managers, colleagues and professionals who are actively
involved
Involved is being included in something or taking part in something.
with the service.
The inspector will look at a range of records including policies, care records, incidents and complaints.
Services are inspected under four key areas: safe, effective, compassionate and well-led. Under each of these areas, Inspectors will look for evidence against specific indicators. For example, “The service responds appropriately to and meets the assessed needs of the people who us the service”.
The inspector will provide feedback on the outcome of the inspection on the day of the inspection to the person in charge of the service. They will then provide a report of their inspection findings and outline any areas for improvement that they may have found. Inspection reports are published on RQIA’s
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
: www.rqia.org.uk
Inspection frequency
Mencap services are inspected at least once a year. Most inspections will be unannounced so we won’t know about them in advance.
How families are involved
As part of the inspection process, RQIA will seek the views of the people we support and their families. RQIA will ask families to complete a questionnaire prior to the inspection taking place and will also speak with families directly during the inspection.
Contact details
Should you wish to contact RQIA, you can do so by:
Telephone: 028 9051 7500
By post: The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority 9th Floor Riverside Tower 5 Lanyon Place Belfast BT1 3BT
Email: info@rqia.org.uk
Website: www.rqia.org.uk
The next section of the Better Together information pack is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)